Mandate Long Life Batteries For Smoke Detectors

By Liz Goff

Gov. Andrew Cuomo last week signed a bill requiring manufacturers to install 10-year, non-removable batteries in all new smoke alarms.

The new requirement is designed to discourage tampering and to ensure that the devices will continue to work, even if owners fail to check on batteries. The requirement also prohibits the sale of smoke detectors with traditional, replaceable batteries as of January 1, 2017.

The long-life batteries make it difficult for homeowners and apartment dwellers to disable smoke detectors when they are activated by cooking and heavy cigarette smoke.

Installation of the new batteries also means residents will no longer have to check on and change batteries every six months.